Mustachian Dream Car Thread

[stlbrah]

aston martin db9.

After you have achieved independence, why not go for your dream. As long as its in that order, since a car obviously won't make your life as good as freedom.

[Catbert]

I drive a 2002 Lexus SC 300 (hardtop convertible).  I bought for cash in 2004 from someone coming off a lease.  They put 25,000 miles in 2 years.  I've put another 60,000 in the 10 years I've had it.  I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off or I can no longer get in it.

My dream car is a white Audi R8 or maybe a Tesla in just about any color.

[jba302]

As long as we're dreaming, I want a late '90s Jeep Wrangler that gets 40mpg. With a hard top and working heater.

Somewhat relevant-

http://www.revconversions.com/electric_vehicle_conversion_products-jeep.htm

It tesla makes a jeep type vehicle, I'll be on that quicklike.

[Rural]

As long as we're dreaming, I want a late '90s Jeep Wrangler that gets 40mpg. With a hard top and working heater.

Somewhat relevant-

http://www.revconversions.com/electric_vehicle_conversion_products-jeep.htm

It tesla makes a jeep type vehicle, I'll be on that quicklike.

 That's very cool, except range limitation and automatic transmission(!) But maybe once the technology improves...

[frpeebles]

When I think of a mustachian car I always think of the original Honda Insight. It was an amazing car and is STILL the highest fuel efficiency of any gasoline car the EPA has ever tested. Designed with efficiency in mind and really amazing how much better it is than even modern hybrids.


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Here's my old commute:

[cacaoheart]

Mine would be the locally produced ELF which is more of an enclosed recumbent cargo bike with electric assist and now a back seat for a passenger. At ~$6000 the up-front cost is more than my saturn that I paid $3000 for 9 years/110,000 miles ago, but the ELF has a solar panel on the roof that can recharge the batteries in 7 hours. No gas, just pedaling and electricity. 20+ mile range, 20mph, and 350 pound cargo capacity.

http://organictransit.com/

I'm tempted to at least test drive one soon, though I'm not sure actually buying one makes sense unless/until my car needs replacing. For now I'm replacing car trips with trips via my Trek hybrid.

[clarkfan1979]

Convertible Porsche 911 from the 1980's. On a much more practical note, I really like the new 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT, manual. The engine has 175 horsepower and it gets 34 highway. It is also a hatchback. It seems to be similar to the VW impreza but with better gas mileage. Does anyone have this car? Do you like it?

If I made significant advancements in my networth I may reward myself with a used version of this car in 4-5 years. 

[MoneyCat]

I drive a 2010 1st generation Ford Fusion Hybrid that gets about 40 mpg.  If someone was going to give me my dream car, I would want a Tesla Model S that I could fuel up for free with solar power.  If I couldn't get that, then I would want a mint condition 1st generation Honda Insight so I could get 70+ mpg.  That would be pretty sweet.


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[Cwadda]

I drive an '07 Mazda3 sedan and get about 30 MPG. My Mustachian dream car would be a 6 speed Mazda3 with Skyactive technology to get in the 40 MPG range.

My Anti-Mustachian dream car would be a Corvette.

[jba302]

That's very cool, except range limitation and automatic transmission(!) But maybe once the technology improves...

There was a really interesting concept I heard about long ago. I found the link but haven't seen anything since-

http://www.fastcompany.com/60868/motorhead-messiah

I honestly don't know if it's bullshit or not since I have no tech skills in these areas other than being aware that they are actual things he's talking about (turbine vs. "magical perpetual water based engine").

[Amosla]

The four seater ZEM bike...ah, I want one, can't stop thinking about it. I think they were just a little ahead of their time in the states, I wish they'd make another go of it. Google it, it just looks like so much fun for a family, instead of the stinking clown car and having to shove your kids into car seats until they are like 12 now a days.


http://www.cyclorama.net/viewArticle.php?id=245

[StartingEarly]

I would want a Tesla P85D or a the VTRUX that was used as the demo with dual electric motors and mud tires.

[Vorpal]

Absolute dream car is a Porsche 959, but attainable FIRE car is 911 of most any variety. Currently I drive a Mazda2 and am working on a '76 Triumph Spitfire that's getting a Miata drivetrain.

Also for all of the "bicycle" and "no car" respondents-- this thread is not for you. There are plenty of other threads for extolling those virtues (I like bikes too), and the high-horsitude  isn't wanted here.

[OutBy40]

Before I started focusing on FI, I would have said that my dream car is a BMW 750.

Now, after seriously reflecting on my life and what true happiness actually entails, this is a much, much tougher question to answer.  Now, I ride a motorcycle and drive a 100% paid off gas guzzling Honda Ridgeline. 

My dream car would be a solar-powered thing that I never have to fill up with gas, ever, and hardly have to charge.  Yeah, a dream.  :)

[jprince7827]

I am hoping my 04 Grand Am makes it long enough for Elon Musk to start his used Tesla program, or release his lower end version of the Model S.

[Grimm]

My passion is Porsche's. The two I currently have are not necessarily my 'dream cars', but they're pretty darn close.  The red one is a '75 Carrera with just 42,000 miles and is 100% original. The black one is a '90 Carrera with 59,000 miles and is also original.

[SpicyMcHaggus]

Which one are you going to sell to fund FIRE ?
I also love the p-car, but I can't bring myself to buy one. Too impractical unless it's a C4, and too expensive to keep/run. I have a 4cyl manual AWD Audi and I tell myself it's fast.

[10dollarsatatime]

I currently drive a 1999 Honda CRV.

My dream car is a 1979 Datsun 280z with T-tops and a turbo.  Or at least the hood with the intakes for the turbo. I don't need it to go that fast.  I just want it to look like it can.

Also... I want a functioning 1984 Honda v65 Magna.  I say functioning because I currently have one that doesn't.  I'm torn between selling it and sitting on it until I can rebuild the engine.

[bondo]

2015 Corvette Z06

[DollarBill]

I use to have a 1996 Ford Bronco that looked just like this except mine was Red/Tan. I loved driving it except for the 8 mpg and the $100 fill ups (that was in 2003).


or



or

AC Cobra

[rtrnow]

A 911 turbo would probably be my dream car. Though I seriously doubt I'll ever own one. From watching a few friends with them, anything that can't be fixed yourself will cost a fortune even with 3rd party mechanics.

That said, I'm waiting for a good deal on the new Ford Focus ST (I would buy used). It seems like a decent compromise for the gearheads. It's FWD but likes to drift, has good power, is a hatch, and gets decent mileage.

[horsepoor]

I'm pretty happy with my 2012 Honda CR-Z.  Fun little six speed with sport mode to make it into a zippy little rollerskate, or drive it conservatively and get 46 mpg.

But lately I keep lusting after a Scion FR-S (but am not going to buy one).

In even more clownish territory, I love my 2000 F-250 V10, but even better would be the same thing in a diesel.  Extended cab, short bed 4x4.

[Grimm]

Which one are you going to sell to fund FIRE ?
I also love the p-car, but I can't bring myself to buy one. Too impractical unless it's a C4, and too expensive to keep/run. I have a 4cyl manual AWD Audi and I tell myself it's fast.

Spicy, I suspect this could create debate, but the Red one is actually an investment.   The Black one has also been appreciating rapidly, but I have it as more of a daily driver.  I also have an Audi A6, an Audi Q7, and an GTI.

Back in '86 when I was 27 I bought my first Porsche.  It was a '73 911S and I paid $12K.  Over the next 19 years I restored it twice and put over 200,000 miles on it.  In 2005 I sold it for $62K and thought I made out like a bandit.  But, it turns out I was a knucklehead.  The guy who bought it from me sold it for $214K in 2012, and similar cars are now between $300k - $400k.

I paid $60K several months ago for the red one I posted.  I got it at a real steal and similar ones that aren't nearly as desirable because they're not as original are now going from $110K - $130k.    I'll probably never sell it, and will most likely pass it on to one of my boys.

I paid $24K for the Black '90 C2 two years ago.  That model (964) has also been rapidly appreciating but the version I have (cabriolet) isn't quite as desirable as a coupe.  Anyway, the Black one is probably worth around $35K - $40k now.  I also have no plans to sell it, but I might if I decide to buy a 993 instead.

Regarding FIRE, I could have stopped working years ago but once I had more than enough $$ stashed away to do that, I found that all the pressure from my job disappeared and I started enjoying it much more.  Having said that, I'm planning to stop working in 25 months.

[lithy]

An S2/S3 Lotus Seven or Caterham 7.  Price range 20-30k

A 3rd gen Toyota MR2, 03-05 years with LSD and removable hardtop.  Price range ~10k

There are a ton of cars that I would love to own for a week, but many of them I realize if I could afford to think about buying them, I wouldn't need to be creating 'dream car' lists.

[Bob W]

When I think of a mustachian car I always think of the original Honda Insight. It was an amazing car and is STILL the highest fuel efficiency of any gasoline car the EPA has ever tested. Designed with efficiency in mind and really amazing how much better it is than even modern hybrids.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's my old commute:

That is great!  Could you do a post on this?  Something like "Ultimate Hypermiling"  Would love it. 

[Coloradostache]

Cars are a big weakness for me, but I've done reasonably well on cost. I currently have an 88 bmw m3 that I've had for 11 years. I bought it for $16k, and it's easily worth twice that now. I also have a 01 m3 that I bought with a blown engine for 5k, and spent another 5k fixing myself. I'm still in the good cost wise on that one. Fortunately, work provides a company truck with paid for fuel, so the non practical cars are easy to justify.

[Grimm]

Cars are a big weakness for me, but I've done reasonably well on cost. I currently have an 88 bmw m3 that I've had for 11 years. I bought it for $16k, and it's easily worth twice that now. I also have a 01 m3 that I bought with a blown engine for 5k, and spent another 5k fixing myself. I'm still in the good cost wise on that one. Fortunately, work provides a company truck with paid for fuel, so the non practical cars are easy to justify.

Sweet!  I've always loved the M-series BMW's.  The closest I came was a 1997 540i with the sport package.

[gimp]

My current car (photo mine, bit of an artistic license - 2000 buick regal gs):



(Full-size resolution: here)

A car I'll buy probably in 2016, in absolute shit condition, and restore, to look something like this (1967 mustang fastback, probably buy for $3k and fix for another 7 or so not counting paint):



And don't get me started on this... 1985, can get in good condition and with some repairs would total around $20k. Save me from myself.

[KBlynx]

I've currently got a 2007 Hyundai Accent with 105,000 miles on it. Dream car is the one I sold right before I had my daughter 7 years ago!

1988 Fiero Formula: it was always in the shop and still in my heart

[frpeebles]

I'm happy to see all the Porsche love in this thread.

<3 Porsche.

When I think of a mustachian car I always think of the original Honda Insight. It was an amazing car and is STILL the highest fuel efficiency of any gasoline car the EPA has ever tested. Designed with efficiency in mind and really amazing how much better it is than even modern hybrids.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's my old commute:

That is great!  Could you do a post on this?  Something like "Ultimate Hypermiling"  Would love it.

I could but there isn't anything serious going on. That's not even an impressive result within the Insight community. In fact if it wasn't for having to deal with the highway that commute would be 120+.

It's unlikely I was driving much different than MMM did in his article aside from maybe a couple Insight specific bits (WOT acceleration, exercising lean burn).

[Primm]

And don't get me started on this... 1985, can get in good condition and with some repairs would total around $20k. Save me from myself.

*drool*

This is on my short list of two. The other one is the Lotus Esprit. We bought the Esprit, the Ferrari was about twice the price and double the cost to insure and repair. So practicality won out.

But the two together? My ultimate dream car garage.

[RWD]

McLaren P1. 30+ mpg, unparalleled performance, likely to go up in value (like the McLaren F1).


Cars I could reasonably afford, in no particular order:

Zenos E12
Rossion Q1
Acura NSX
McLaren 12C
Tesla Roadster

[Jack]

Here are my dream cars, all of which I actually plan to own (in order):

• VW New Beetle TDI (currently own, plan to keep forever)
• 2nd-generation Mazda Miata (plan to buy in time for next year's autocross)
• E36 BMW 3-series OR M3 OR Cadillac CTS-V (will replace the Miata with this when I have kids and need a back seat, will also be used for autocross)
• C4-C6 Corvette with a Duramax diesel engine swapped in, running 100% biodiesel
• Either a Nissan 240z or a Volvo P1800 (after FI)

I had enough cash saved up for the Miata, but yesterday the temptation got too great and I blew half of it paying off a student loan. : /

I want a vehicle that gets 30-35mpg and seats 8, and also has a good bit of cargo room (enough to hold sleeping bags/coolers for 6-8 people... Everything that is the size I want is... 40-45 years old (VW, I'm looking at you).

And the problem is...?

No, seriously! Go ahead and get the antique hippie-van; it's a legitimately good choice! It won't depreciate (unless you let it rust away), it's easy to do the maintenance yourself (and VW enthusiasts will help you), and there are plenty of ways to improve the engine (or swap in a Porsche one) if you need to be able to merge on the freeway.

On a much more practical note, I really like the new 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT, manual.... It seems to be similar to the VW impreza

*eye twitch*

I've currently got a 2007 Hyundai Accent with 105,000 miles on it. Dream car is the one I sold right before I had my daughter 7 years ago!

I used to own a 2003 Hyundai Accent GT. It was a great little car until it got crushed by a falling tree.

[MrFancypants]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI; bought before I went "all in" on the early retirement dream, purchased new with cash.  It is reasonably fuel efficient, comfortable, fun/pleasant to drive, practical, and reliable.  Not the first "mustachian" pick, but it has been great.

Wife: 2007 Toyota Camry; we're planning children and my has chronic pain that made traveling difficult for her in her old car.  Car purchased used with cash.

The car my wife brought to our marriage was a 2005 Scion xB.  It wasn't comfortable for her to be in on long trips so we swapped her primary vehicle for the Camry.  I had intended to sell the GTI and use the xB as my personal commuter, but after a month of driving the Scion every day I realized that it would impact my personal happiness in a negative way.  Say what you will about materialism and excessive spending or whatever, but the 210,000 mile Scion turned an activity that I normally enjoy (driving) into a pain.

For a "do everything" practical car that is used for both fun and commuting, the GTI is my "dream" car that I intend to keep for a very long time.

My *true* dream car is a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, which is basically the 911 Porsche sold through much of the 1980's.  I'll probably have one of these, or something similar, when I'm retired.

[Jack]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

TDI > GTI (just FYI) ; )

[Al1961]

Cars, my downfall.

Daily driver: 2010 Subaru Legacy GT, 6-speed, turbo, awd, loaded. Best highway cruising vehicle I've ever owned. Gets ~800km/tank on the highway.

Spare (yes, the spare): 2005 Grand Prix GXP - because everyone needs to experience the massive torque steer of a FWD V8.

Project: 1985 Fiero. Have just about finished assembling a 3.2 V6 turbo engine , but am now considering transplanting the Grand Prix drive train and interior.

[Ashyukun]

An 87-88 Chevy Sprint Turbo would be pretty great. So would an early 90s RWD Volvo turbo wagon with a 5-speed.  I have odd taste.

Or a Delorean.  An electric Delorean with the drivetrain of a Tesla.  There we go.

You have good taste in cars- or at least similar to mine. :P

DMC actually played with making an electric DeLorean- http://delorean.com/2011/10/electric-delorean/ I've seen it in person, and it is pretty cool, but I never heard any follow-ups on them ever selling it. Same with the Supercharged one that I got to ride in down at DMC-Texas a few years back, never heard any more about them making them available for actual purchase (or just the kit for the engine).

I'm already driving mine, but it's not my 'daily driver'- a 1983 DMC-12 that I picked up and restored about 5 years ago. It's heavy, not the most fuel efficient (not bad for a RWD 'sports car' though), and can be a bit of a pain to maintain- but there's nothing quite like driving it around and the reactions it gets. I'd wanted one since I was about 8 when they came out, and getting mine (and still having it) is definitely a dream come true. If the engine ever gives out, I'll see about converting it to something both more efficient and powerful.

My mustachian dream car would probably be a Tesla, one that can be updated to continue using whatever they come up with for charging stations going forward. While still having the DeLorean, or course. ;)

Currently also have a 2005 Prius, which is pretty good for the time being, but is also a 'flip' that I hope will not be in my driveway for much longer.

[MrFancypants]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

TDI > GTI (just FYI) ; )

For pure commuting I would get on board with that statement.  For my A to B day to day stuff the TDI would be the ticket.

But I have a hobby which is best described as "sport touring" where I look at Google and plot out long drives by connecting the curviest lines I can find to one another.  This is where the GTI bakes its beans.  It's also fun to have the extra "sport" the GTI brings to the table when I want to let out some steam and kiss redline repeatedly.

[Jack]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

TDI > GTI (just FYI) ; )

For pure commuting I would get on board with that statement.  For my A to B day to day stuff the TDI would be the ticket.

But I have a hobby which is best described as "sport touring" where I look at Google and plot out long drives by connecting the curviest lines I can find to one another.  This is where the GTI bakes its beans.  It's also fun to have the extra "sport" the GTI brings to the table when I want to let out some steam and kiss redline repeatedly.

Alas! My attempt at pithiness has backfired; I must elaborate.

Sure, a stock TDI isn't all that sporty. But TDIs conveniently make huge gains with very few engine mods. Mine (an A4 ALH, 90 hp/140 ft-lb stock) has a remapped ECU and larger injector nozzles (total cost: $400), and now probably has about 120 hp / 200 ft-lb. TDI folks who also have a bigger turbo and intake/exhaust plumbing easily get their cars up to 180 hp / 300 ft-lbs (100% more than stock!), while still maintaining streetability and reliability.

And even (very) modded TDIs still get ~50 MPG when driven normally. (Gasoline engines have to maintain a particular fuel/air ratio in order to avoid detonation / knocking, so adding more air requires adding more fuel. Diesels detonate by design, so they can run as lean as necessary -- extra fuel only gets used when the driver's right foot requests it.)

Trust me, when I'm on the Tail of the Dragon with my car club, I have no lack of fun. Subjectively, my TDI is just as fast as a 1.8T (measured by me and a 1.8T owner driving each others' car and agreeing that they're pretty evenly matched). And that's just on a straight, flat road: considering that a TDI's peak torque is at 1900 RPM, on tight curves and steep hills it's even better.

[MrFancypants]

Alas! My attempt at pithiness has backfired; I must elaborate.

Sure, a stock TDI isn't all that sporty. But TDIs conveniently make huge gains with very few engine mods. Mine (an A4 ALH, 90 hp/140 ft-lb stock) has a remapped ECU and larger injector nozzles (total cost: $400), and now probably has about 120 hp / 200 ft-lb. TDI folks who also have a bigger turbo and intake/exhaust plumbing easily get their cars up to 180 hp / 300 ft-lbs (100% more than stock!), while still maintaining streetability and reliability.

And even (very) modded TDIs still get ~50 MPG when driven normally. (Gasoline engines have to maintain a particular fuel/air ratio in order to avoid detonation / knocking, so adding more air requires adding more fuel. Diesels detonate by design, so they can run as lean as necessary -- extra fuel only gets used when the driver's right foot requests it.)

Trust me, when I'm on the Tail of the Dragon with my car club, I have no lack of fun. Subjectively, my TDI is just as fast as a 1.8T (measured by me and a 1.8T owner driving each others' car and agreeing that they're pretty evenly matched). And that's just on a straight, flat road: considering that a TDI's peak torque is at 1900 RPM, on tight curves and steep hills it's even better.

Oooh, Deal's Gap, one of my favorite places on the planet (so long as you arrive at the crack of dawn on a Tuesday or Wednesday).  I have a bunch of Killboy pictures documenting my fun there over the years.  Unfortunately I don't live in the southeast anymore, so I don't spend my time romping around that area, but I've been all over the place in western North Carolina.

I think the TDI is an awesome car, but I generally wish to avoid engine modifications to the greatest extent possible.  I know that just a little bit of money really wakes up the TDI and turns it into a little monster, and a unique driving experience because there aren't many sporty diesels in the US.

Also, for me it isn't so much about measured speed as it is about the perception of speed.  The GTI has that nice "I feel like I'm going really fast" feeling right out of the box with no modifications, even though it isn't particularly fast compared to it's peers, and I'm totally ok with that.  It's a car that feels faster than it is, and I like that.

Even still, when I needed a car, the MkVI TDI wasn't even an option and neither was waiting.  Now I'd be foolish to trade/sell the GTI for a TDI for monetary reasons.

[2527]

I drive a 98 Honda Civic with a manual transmission.  I wonder how many "multi-millionaires" (in this case, multi means 2, LOL) drive a car like that.

[Jack]

I think the TDI is an awesome car, but I generally wish to avoid engine modifications to the greatest extent possible.  I know that just a little bit of money really wakes up the TDI and turns it into a little monster, and a unique driving experience because there aren't many sporty diesels in the US.

Ah, fair enough. I would never recommend a TDI to somebody who doesn't like tinkering and voiding warranties.

[MrFancypants]

Ah, fair enough. I would never recommend a TDI to somebody who doesn't like tinkering and voiding warranties.

Yeah I went through that phase, and I wasted a bunch of money.  The result of that experience, quite a few years ago, is what woke me up financially.  I'll get around to tinkering again some day, but it will be with a dedicated toy rather than a car that is used for utility.

[space]

....Well, I can hope, right?

[RWD]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

My wife is getting a 2015 GTI soon. We test drove a handful of cars (Mk VI GTI, Mk VII GTI, Mazda 3, Honda Fit) and decided the new GTI was the best practical and fun car. It's also rated for 47% better fuel economy than the vehicle we're replacing.

Sure, a stock TDI isn't all that sporty. But TDIs conveniently make huge gains with very few engine mods.

The GTI also conveniently responds very well to a few engine mods. Though like Mykl I've moved on past that stage. Too much expensive and frustrating troubleshooting with the Supra Turbo I used to own.

[southern granny]

In the next couple of years, Ill be purchasing a 2015 - 2017 Dodge Challenger Hellcat that I will own forever(following in my dads footsteps, he owned a 1970 Mercury GT from 1970 until he passed) This is a beast of a car, 707 rwhp, Supercharged, Unapologetic American Musclecar! Yea, it may not get the best gas mileage in town, I suspect it will get probably 25 or 26 MPG highway(My current 392 challenger get almost 27 MPG highway). The Challenger is as docile as you want, or as beastly as you want. No other car offers the same level of performance and comfort for $60,000. Most likely I will buy used so the other guy can take the depreciation.

You only live once!

I still have a 1970 mustang fastback, that I bought in 1974.  V8 302.  It is fun to drive, but we don't drive it a lot.  No A/C, no power steering or power brakes, but it is fun to have people follow you to your destination just to compliment the car.  The new dodge challengers are very nice.  I like them much better than the new Camaro.

[libertarian4321]

I drive a 2002 Chevy Silverado.  It looks like crap, but runs fine, and I'm driving it until I get my ELIO.

If this thing ever actually goes into production, I'm all over it:

http://www.eliomotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Screen-shot-2014-02-25-at-3.50.48-PM.png

And at $6,800 and 83 mpg, it's almost a Mustachian as a bicycle, but you can drive it in the rain.

BTW, I actually sat in one of these, and it's plenty big.  I'm about the same size/weight as an NFL lineman, and I fit in this car just fine (which shocked me), so it ain't some toy built just for 125-lb pencil necks.  Pretty much anyone smaller than Andre the Giant can sit in comfortably in an Elio.

Though I suspect those of us on the large end of the scale will NOT get the 83 mpg average. :)

[2Birds1Stone]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

My wife is getting a 2015 GTI soon. We test drove a handful of cars (Mk VI GTI, Mk VII GTI, Mazda 3, Honda Fit) and decided the new GTI was the best practical and fun car. It's also rated for 47% better fuel economy than the vehicle we're replacing.

Sure, a stock TDI isn't all that sporty. But TDIs conveniently make huge gains with very few engine mods.

The GTI also conveniently responds very well to a few engine mods. Though like Mykl I've moved on past that stage. Too much expensive and frustrating troubleshooting with the Supra Turbo I used to own.

I HIGHLY recommend test driving a Ford Focus ST......INSANELY fun car, cheaper than the VW, the interior looks and feels amazing, its one of the few front wheel drive cars on the road that can let the back tires rip loose on turns, and its just an all around fun car to drive. Not to mention that a mild tune done by ford (warranty in tact) gets it up to almost 300hp/300lbs tq.

[RWD]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

My wife is getting a 2015 GTI soon. We test drove a handful of cars (Mk VI GTI, Mk VII GTI, Mazda 3, Honda Fit) and decided the new GTI was the best practical and fun car. It's also rated for 47% better fuel economy than the vehicle we're replacing.

Sure, a stock TDI isn't all that sporty. But TDIs conveniently make huge gains with very few engine mods.

The GTI also conveniently responds very well to a few engine mods. Though like Mykl I've moved on past that stage. Too much expensive and frustrating troubleshooting with the Supra Turbo I used to own.

I HIGHLY recommend test driving a Ford Focus ST......INSANELY fun car, cheaper than the VW, the interior looks and feels amazing, its one of the few front wheel drive cars on the road that can let the back tires rip loose on turns, and its just an all around fun car to drive. Not to mention that a mild tune done by ford (warranty in tact) gets it up to almost 300hp/300lbs tq.

The Focus ST is only $25 cheaper than the GTI (MSRP $24,370 vs $24,395). It also weighs 250 lb more and gets worse fuel economy. The interior is nicer in the GTI. The Focus ST does not have a cool electronic differential (called XDS on the VW). The GTI is the only front-wheel drive vehicle I've driven where I couldn't tell that it was front-wheel drive and I drove it aggressively during our test drive. Torque steer is a serious issue with high-powered front-wheel drive vehicles.

The Focus ST is a great car for sure, but I think the GTI is better and certainly is a better fit for our needs.

[rtrnow]

Me: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

My wife is getting a 2015 GTI soon. We test drove a handful of cars (Mk VI GTI, Mk VII GTI, Mazda 3, Honda Fit) and decided the new GTI was the best practical and fun car. It's also rated for 47% better fuel economy than the vehicle we're replacing.

Sure, a stock TDI isn't all that sporty. But TDIs conveniently make huge gains with very few engine mods.

The GTI also conveniently responds very well to a few engine mods. Though like Mykl I've moved on past that stage. Too much expensive and frustrating troubleshooting with the Supra Turbo I used to own.

I HIGHLY recommend test driving a Ford Focus ST......INSANELY fun car, cheaper than the VW, the interior looks and feels amazing, its one of the few front wheel drive cars on the road that can let the back tires rip loose on turns, and its just an all around fun car to drive. Not to mention that a mild tune done by ford (warranty in tact) gets it up to almost 300hp/300lbs tq.

The Focus ST is only $25 cheaper than the GTI (MSRP $24,370 vs $24,395). It also weighs 250 lb more and gets worse fuel economy. The interior is nicer in the GTI. The Focus ST does not have a cool electronic differential (called XDS on the VW). The GTI is the only front-wheel drive vehicle I've driven where I couldn't tell that it was front-wheel drive and I drove it aggressively during our test drive. Torque steer is a serious issue with high-powered front-wheel drive vehicles.

The Focus ST is a great car for sure, but I think the GTI is better and certainly is a better fit for our needs.

The focus does have an ediff which is why Ford did not put a LSD up front. The focus also has the torque vectoring system. Both cars are fun but the Ford is faster and based on my experience will spend a lot less time in the shop than a VW.